Naples – Tension at the Theater San Carlo, where this morning a group of activists broke into the building to protest the housing crisis that is overwhelming the city.
With banners reading “Stop Evictions,” “Stop Airbnb,” and “Stay Abitant,” protesters symbolically occupied the prestigious Neapolitan theater, bringing their fight for housing rights to the spotlight.
The action, they explain, is also a harsh criticism of the UNESCO summit on the "intangible heritage of cities", underway until tomorrow in Castel Capuano.
“Today the Teatro San Carlo has been occupied by those who don’t have a home,” declared the activists of “Resta Abitante,” the movement leading the protest. “While in Naples they talk about intangible heritage, those who truly live in this city are kicked out every day.
What heritage, if the neighborhoods are emptied and the inhabitants are sacrificed for mass tourism?”. According to the collective's estimates, in the historic center of Naples alone there are over 15 thousand vacation homes, with skyrocketing rents and an escalation of evictions that, they report, have “increased tenfold”. Entire neighborhoods, once the beating heart of the city, are being transformed into “playgrounds for tourists and investors”.
Activists point the finger at the inaction of the institutions. “From the Municipality of Naples and the Campania Region only words, words, words,” they accuse, underlining how the right to housing is “sinking” under the weight of real estate speculation and wild touristification.
“The true heritage of Naples is us: the communities, the relationships, the stories that give life to this city. We will not allow it to become a showcase for tourists at the expense of those who live there”.
The blitz, which began in the early hours of the day, attracted the attention of passers-by and authorities, but did not degenerate into clashes. The banners displayed on the stage of the San Carlo, a symbol of Neapolitan culture, amplified the message of the protesters, who are calling for urgent interventions to regulate the short-term rental market and stop evictions.
The protest comes amid growing discontent, with residents denouncing the loss of identity of historic neighborhoods, emptied in favor of accommodation facilities and real estate investments.
The local authorities, contacted, have not yet released official statements on the occupation of the theater. Meanwhile, the Unesco summit continues in Castel Capuano, but the activists' cry resounds loudly: "Naples is not for sale." The protest promises not to stop, with "Resta Abitante" announcing new initiatives to defend the right to housing and the future of the city.
Article published on 5 June 2025 - 19:40
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Reading about the occupation of the Teatro San Carlo I wondered if the authorities will finally take a stand. The situation of evictions has become unsustainable and many citizens are in difficulty, it would be important to listen to their needs.